Top US official visiting India to boost economic cooperation

Washington: In an effort to enhance Indo-US economic relationship, a top American official is set to pay a six-day visit to India to highlight his country's support for broader regional economic cooperation and also to discuss environmental and conservation issues.

Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Robert Hormats will travel to India from January 26 to 31, an official announcement said Thursday.

He will officially kick off his visit from Agra on January 28 by delivering remarks on "The New Emerging Global Economic Order: Role of Developed Nations" at the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) Partnership Summit 2013.

Hormats' visit to India will highlight US efforts to expand and enhance the US-India economic relationship, US support for broader regional economic cooperation, and the American engagement with India on environmental and conservation issues, the State Department said in a statement.

In New Delhi, Hormats will meet Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and other senior Indian officials.

He is also scheduled to take part in a round-table discussion with Indian and international environmental NGOs and non-profit groups on wildlife trafficking issues on January 29.

Hormats will also deliver remarks in support of India's efforts to expand economic ties with South and Southeast Asia at an event at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and co-hosted by the US-India Business Council on January 30.

On January 31, Hormats will deliver a speech on sustainable water, energy and food security policy at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit.